Dallas received the 1981 seventh-round choice used on Ron…
Dallas received the 1981 seventh-round choice used on Ron Fellows and the 1982 fourth-round choice used on Brian Carpenter. Fellows became a multi-year Cowboys starter and interception producer, giving Dallas the best long-term asset in the exchange. The A- grade reflects that realized football value and the complete supported package, while the overall verdict is Dallas Cowboys Win.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1981 seventh round pick (#173- Ron Fellows )
- pick 1982 fourth round pick (#101-Brian Carpenter)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Dave Stalls
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1980-08-06, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers completed this exchange. Dallas Cowboys received 1981 seventh round pick (#173-Ron Fellows); 1982 fourth round pick (#101-Brian Carpenter), while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received Dave Stalls. Historical team, draft, and player records support that package and provide enough career context to compare what each side actually gained.
Dallas Cowboys Return
Dallas received the 1981 seventh-round choice used on Ron Fellows and the 1982 fourth-round choice used on Brian Carpenter. Fellows became a multi-year Cowboys starter and interception producer, giving Dallas the best long-term asset in the exchange. The A- grade reflects that realized football value and the complete supported package, while the overall verdict is Dallas Cowboys Win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return
Tampa Bay received Dave Stalls, who supplied useful defensive production. His contribution gave the Buccaneers real value and prevents the trade from being a washout, but it did not match the longer-term starting impact Dallas received from Ron Fellows. The B- grade reflects that realized football value and the complete supported package, while the overall verdict is Dallas Cowboys Win.
Value in Hindsight
The decisive difference is realized value rather than the nominal size of the package. Dallas Cowboys turned its return into the stronger on-field outcome, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received less durable or less productive value. That gap supports the Dallas Cowboys Win conclusion and the A- versus B- grading split.
Final Verdict
The final call is Dallas Cowboys Win. Dallas Cowboys earns a A-, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers earns a B-. Those grades weigh the documented assets, the length and quality of the resulting contributions, and the practical value each club actually realized after the exchange.